US FAA hires 1,500 air traffic controllers but staffing challenges remain

[admin]

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration said on Thursday it had met its goal of hiring 1,500 air traffic controllers (ATC) for the year even as staffing challenges continue to impact travel and aviation near misses prompt safety concerns. The FAA has about 2,600 controllers at various levels of training. The Transportation Department said in March it is seeking $117 million to hire another 1,800 next year, in addition to the 1,500 it planned to hire through Sept 30.